They won’t be watching the Selection Show in Syracuse on Sunday evening. Not even the most optimistic coach, player or fan is likely to be outraged by the team’s absence from the upcoming NCAA tournament. NIT, here they come.
Following a 9-9 league mark, the Orange at least had to beat Villanova to gain consideration. Instead, an 82-63 victory propelled Villanova to a quarterfinal matchup against Georgetown on Thursday and onto the NCAA bubble.
– Rivals.com reports that Northwestern has received oral commitments from two Michigan high school standouts: Davide’ Curletti, a 6-foot-9, 225-pound senior center from St. Mary’s in Orchard Lake, and his AAU teammate, junior Alex Marcotullio, an outstanding 3-point shooter from Warren De La Salle.
– The NCAA automatic bids as of Wednesday were: Austin Peay, Ohio Valley Conference; Belmont, Atlantic Sun Conference; Butler, Horizon League; Cornell, Ivy League; Davidson, Southern Conference; Drake, Missouri Valley Conference; George Mason, Colonial Athletic Association; Mount St. Mary’s, Md., Northeast Conference; Oral Roberts, Summit League; San Diego, West Coast Conference; Siena, Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference; Western Kentucky, Sun Belt Conference; Winthrop, Big South Conference; and Portland State, Big Sky Conference.
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CENTRAL MICHIGAN 83, NIU 71
Giordan Watson scored 20 points and Robbie Harman added 16 to lead Central Michigan past Northern Illinois 83-71 in the opening round of the Mid-American Conference tournament on Wednesday. The Huskies rallied to cut the lead to 77-68 with 1:05 to play, but Central Michigan made 6-of-6 free throws in the final minute.
– Associated Press
